What We Spent on Our Garden Before Selling — And What It Was Worth

We've sold four of our own Wellington properties over the last few years — not just clients' homes, but our own rentals and family home. Every single time, we did the work ourselves first. This series is what we actually did, what it cost, and whether it was worth it.

Entry 1 is the outside. Because that's where buyers form their first impression — before they've even walked through the door.

The profit test: Before every job, ask yourself — will this return more than it costs in buyer confidence or sale price? If the answer's no, skip it. Most of these pass easily.

What we did — and what we'd do again

1. Mow, edge, and keep it mowed

Obvious, but the number of properties we've seen with shaggy lawns during open homes is staggering. Mow the day before every open home. Edge the path and driveway border. It takes 30 minutes and makes everything look intentional.

2. Bark mulch the garden beds

A $30 bag of bark mulch does more for a garden bed than $200 of new plants. It makes weeds disappear, unifies the look, and signals maintenance. We used it on every property. Every time, buyers commented on how tidy the garden looked.

3. Water blast everything

Driveway, paths, fence palings, the deck if there is one. A water blaster hired for a Saturday morning transforms a tired-looking exterior. Concrete goes from grey-green to clean. It's one of the best returns on effort you'll get.

4. Paint or replace the letterbox

Letterboxes are tiny. Buyers look at them. A rusted or broken letterbox reads as "owners don't care." A $40 replacement or a coat of spray paint and new numbers takes an hour and removes a small but real negative from buyers' mental list.

5. Deal with the fence

If the fence is rotting, lean into it early — either fix it, or disclose it and price accordingly. A fence you've tried to hide with a strategically placed shrub will be found by the building inspector anyway. Better to be upfront than to have it become a negotiating chip.

6. Clear the gutters

Full gutters are a red flag for buyers and building inspectors. Clean them out, check for sag or rust, and if there's damage, get it fixed before the building inspection rather than after — where it becomes a price reduction conversation.

7. Front door: paint or replace

The front door is the focal point of every exterior photo. If it's faded, chipped, or just tired, paint it. Pick a colour that works with the house — we went with a deep teal on one property and it became a talking point. Cost: one afternoon and a tin of paint.

8. Remove anything dead or dying

Dead plants, brown hedges, struggling shrubs — they drag the whole section down. Rip them out. An empty garden bed with fresh bark mulch looks better than a struggling plant. Don't try to nurse something back to health right before your listing date.

9. Get the section boundaries clear

Buyers want to know what they're buying. If your boundary is unclear — overgrown, fenced incorrectly, or disputed — sort it before listing. Check your title and LIM. A boundary issue that surfaces during due diligence is a deal-killer.

10. Add a pot plant or two at the entry

A couple of well-chosen pot plants at the front door costs almost nothing and immediately makes a property feel cared for. Go for something robust — agapanthus, a standard bay tree, or simple topiary. You can take them with you when you move.

11. Clean or replace outdoor light fittings

Cobwebby or broken outdoor lights look terrible in photos and at twilight open homes. Clean them, replace blown bulbs, and if the fitting itself is corroded or cracked, swap it out. A new exterior light fitting costs $30–80 and looks great in photos.

12. Photograph the section in good weather

This is our job, but it's worth saying: exterior photos taken on a grey Wellington day sell properties significantly less effectively than photos taken in sun. We time photography around the weather. If you're using a different agent, make sure they do too.

The bottom line: Across four properties, we probably spent a combined $2,000–3,000 on section and exterior prep. Conservative estimate of the return: significantly more than that in buyer confidence, fewer price negotiations, and faster sales. The garden doesn't need to be beautiful — it needs to not be a problem.

Wondering which bigger jobs are worth doing before you sell? We've rated 20 common renovations by cost and return - look here.

Next in the series: Entry 2 — The house exterior

Selling in Wellington? We've been doing this for 17 years across Karori, Newlands, Khandallah, Johnsonville, Ngaio, Paparangi, Grenada Village, Woodridge and beyond. No junior agents, no fuss. Find out what your home's worth or call us on 027 518 0008.